1 Corinthians 9

9:1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen JesusChrist our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
9:2 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you:
for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
9:3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,
9:4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?
9:5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as
other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
9:6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?
9:7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth
a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who
feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
9:8 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same
also?
9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle
the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take
care for oxen?
9:10 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no
doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in
hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of
his hope.
9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing
if we shall reap your carnal things?
9:12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we
rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer
all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.
9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live
of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar
are partakers with the altar?
9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the
gospel should live of the gospel.
9:15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written
these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were
better for me to die, than that any man should make my
glorying void.
9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of:
for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I
preach not the gospel!
9:17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if
against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed
unto me.
9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel,
I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse
not my power in the gospel.
9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself
servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the
Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I
might gain them that are under the law;
9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not
without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might
gain them that are without law.
9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am
made all things to all men, that I might by all means save
some.
9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker
thereof with you.
9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one
receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in
all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but
we an incorruptible.
9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one
that beateth the air:
9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest
that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself
should be a castaway.
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Overview:
The Apostle shows his authority, and asserts his right to be
maintained. (1-14) He waved this part of his Christian liberty,
for the good of others. (15-23) He did all this, with care and
diligence, in view of an unfading Crown. (24-27)

1-14 It is not new for a Minister to meet with unkind returns
for good-will to a people, and diligent and successful services
among them. To the cavils of some, the Apostle answers, So as to
set forth himself as an Example of self-denial, for the good of
others. He had a right to marry as Well as other apostles, and
to claim what was needful for his Wife, and his children if he
had any, from the churches, without labouring with his own hands
to get it. Those who seek to do our souls good, should have Food
provided for them. But he renounced his right, rather than
hinder his success By claiming it. It is the people's duty to
maintain their Minister. He may wave his right, as Paul did; but
those transgress a precept of Christ, who deny or withhold due
support.

15-23 It is the Glory of a Minister to deny himself, that he
may serve Christ and save souls. But when a Minister gives up
his right for the sake of the Gospel, he does more than his
charge and office demands. By preaching the Gospel, freely, theApostle showed that he acted from principles of zeal and Love,
and thus enjoyed much comfort and Hope in his soul. And though
he looked On the ceremonial Law as a Yoke taken off ByChrist,
yet he submitted to it, that he might work upon the Jews, do
away their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the Gospel, and
win them over to Christ. Though he would transgress No laws ofChrist, to please any Man, yet he would accommodate himself to
all men, where he might do it lawfully, to gain some. Doing good
was the study and business of his Life; and, that he might reach
this End, he did not stand On privileges. We must carefully
watch against extremes, and against relying On any thing but
trust in Christ alone. We must not allow errors or faults, So as
to hurt others, or disgrace the Gospel.

24-27 The Apostle compares himself to the racers and combatants
in the Isthmian Games, Well known By the Corinthians. But in theChristian race all may run So as to obtain. There is the
greatest encouragement, therefore, to persevere with all our
strength, in this course. Those who ran in these Games were kept
to a spare diet. They used themselves to hardships. They
practised the exercises. And those who pursue the interests of
their souls, must combat hard with fleshly lusts. The body must
not be suffered to rule. The Apostle presses this advice On theCorinthians. He sets before himself and them the danger of
yielding to fleshly desires, pampering the body, and its lusts
and appetites. Holy fear of himself was needed to keep anApostleFaithful: how much more is it needful for our
preservation! Let us learn from hence Humility and caution, and
to watch against dangers which surround us while in the body.